There’s always a debate amongst gamers on which console exclusive is better, or which character is stronger. It’s an eternal debate with no end, but one that goes regularly unnoticed is the discussion of thesmartest Xbox characters. The exclusive characters existing inXbox gamesare worthy of recognition for their intellect, rather than how good they are with a pistol, or how hard they can hit.

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There’s a great library of exclusive Xbox games across a variety of platforms. These games focus mainly on the story, and in such a story is an array of interesting characters, some, of which exhibit an impressive intellect, whether they are the protagonist or not.

8Lara Croft, Rise Of The Tomb Raider

As the main protagonist of theTomb Raiderfranchise, Lara Croft has cemented her place as an iconic video game character, and one with incredible skill and wit. For a timed exclusive,Rise of the Tomb Raiderfeatured Lara Croft at her highest potential yet. She had honed her skills and intellect into being an incredible archaeologist, treasure hunt, tomb raider, and hunter.

The character is intelligent and above the interest of upper-class society, and mainly seeks the excitement and knowledge found indelving into secrets of the pastand discovering what is believed to have never even existed.

lara croft

7Player, Sunset Overdrive

Although the Player ofSunset Overdrivemay not have held the most intelligent and challenging job in the world as a janitor, they certainly had the intellect and the skills to survive the end of the world. The Player has a level of intellect that other characters lack, and that is in the ability to break the fourth wall, as noted by stating that their name can be seen by other characters as it is above their head like a HUD name.

The Player, thrust against all odds, becomes a greatly intelligent person, capable of defending themselves and using quick wit to find where theyneed to parkourtoo. It’s not an easy feat to measure the projection of a swing, or what weapon to use.

the player from sunset overdrive

6Commander Jaxon, Crackdown 3

Commander Isaiah Jaxon exhibits a level of dedication and intellect above everyone. For theCrackdownfranchise, Jaxon proves himself as an incredible agent inCrackdown 3. Working with the Agency, Jaxon prioritizes eating his vegetables, yogurt, and creative aspects like painting and dancing. His physical appearance may be impressive, but his accolades of intelligence are more so.

Jaxon is the only agent that is recognized as a level 6 agent in The Agency. He is themost accomplished operativeto ever serve, and it shows in his high knowledge and ease of use in the technology and weaponry that he is given throughoutCrackdown 3.

commander jaxon

5Atriox, Halo Wars 2

As a Jiralhanae Warlord and the leader of the Banished, Atriox is a Brute to be reckoned with. Featuring inHalo Wars 2, the repercussions for this character’s intellect in general and in war tactics are nothing short of legendary. He’s a greatHalocharacter and one who fought against the Covenant long before the Great Schism andfought against SPARTAN Red Team.

Even Atriox’s weapon is of his design, the energy malice known as the “Chainbreaker”, created from the parts of a T-2 Gravity Hammer. His tactical mind is a threat to SPARTANS and Covenant members alike, and his warriors will follow him into any situation, as they know he will win.

artriox from halo wars 2

4Marcus Fenix, Gears Of War 4

Marcus Fenix was the protagonist of the first threeGears of Wargames. After the threat had seemingly ended, Marcus enjoyed a life of peace and raised a son. However, with a looming threat once again taking hold of humanity,Marcus Fenix returnedas a soldier in the Colation of Ordered Governments army.

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Thanks to his experiences, Marcus Fenix is far wiser and more skillful inGears of War4. The character is a legend in both the gaming community and the world ofGears of War, with many characters looking up to him for his battle intellect and skill.

Isabela Keyes is the younger sister of Carlito Keyes, the mastermind that brought Willamette, Colorado to its knees for a brief time. The zombie outbreak at the Willamette Incident was just the beginning, and Isabela Keyes had a secret role to play inDead Rising. She helped infect the population as an act of vengeance, but would have a change of heart and help Frank West.

marcus fenix

However, it is later revealed in her role inDead Rising 3that Isabela Keyes is looking for the protagonist, Nick, to create a permanent cure forthe zombie virususing his blood. This is a rare character, smart enough for curing a zombie outbreak that she helped cause.

2Paul Serene, Quantum Break

If there is one incredible feat of intellect, it is not only combat prowess, but the ability to build fiction’s greatest creation, that of a time machine. Paul Serene is the antagonist forQuantum Breakand worked on Project Promenade. This time travel experiment had a malfunction, and Paul was able to go through time after being forced to witness time’s end in 2021.

Despite his great intellect, it did not stop the time machine from causing a breakdown in time. Paul tried to survive the breakdown in time through the creation of Monarch Solutions back in 1999, using his intellect and selfishness to try and survive his horrors.

isabela in a cutscene for dead rising 3

1Cortana, Halo: Combat Evolved

It’s commonplace in theHalouniverse for AI to be used. Cortana was a UNSC Artificial Intelligence construct that became one of the most crucial figures during the Human-Covenant war. She was also noted as being the partner to thelegendary Master Chief, and without her, Master Chief would have surely met his end inHalo: Combat Evolved.

Cortana shows a great wit, level of intellect, and care for John-117. The ever-growing intellect of Cortana can be seen as a threat, as technology, capable of controlling other technology, could be a destructor given the right reasons.

paul serene

cortana from halo combat evolved